NORTHERN suburbs commuters could be riding their buses along Hobart's train tracks if a groundbreaking public-transport proposal wins approval.The Australian Institute of Architects and the Planning Institute of Australia have identified Hobart's rail corridor as an ideal route for an express O-Bahn-styled bus service.

The corridor will become available as a transport option after the rail-freight interchange is moved from Hobart's waterfront to a new transport hub at Brighton.

An O-Bahn allows specially fitted buses to drive on to a railway-like track and travel the route like a train.

When the bus arrives at the final interchange, it can disconnect and continue on the street.

Planning institute Tasmanian division president Emma Riley said using Hobart's railway for public transport had many benefits for people living in the northern suburbs.

"Light rail or retro-fitted buses could use state-of-the-art technology to ride on the rail corridor, which would create a new express route to the centre of Hobart."

She said pedestrians in the city centre would also benefit from a reduction in the number of cars.

There was also the potential for a tourist service.

Ms Riley said services could link attractions like the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the transport museum, Moorilla winery and the emerging Museum of Old and New Art.

Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine said some of the concepts raised by the planning institutes had merit.

"In developing a new transport system for Hobart, we need to be open to all options," he said.

"One of the problems with light rail would be that the railway line is so far east of where most people live, making it hard for them to travel to the stations.

"But having buses which could drive on to an O-Bahn-like system would help solve that problem.

"I think having a dedicated bus corridor would have logistical benefits and should be considered."

Glenorchy Mayor Adriana Taylor said using the rail corridor for public transport services was an "absolute necessity".

"It is vital to preserve that corridor," she said.

Re-zoning areas of industrial land alongside the corridor was also a possibility.

Ald Taylor said creating more residential space near the rail corridor would help create a sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system.

Rowland Atkinson, of the University of Tasmania Housing and Community Research Unit, said there was an urgent need to consider viable housing and transport options for Hobart.

"This means we need to emphasise reliable, affordable and accessible transport options and their connection with a mix of well-designed private and public housing," he said.

Don't get too excited, both Canberra and The Cold Ghost have considered an OBahn in the past few years, nothing came of that (so far).

But yes, all around the World the Adelaide OBahn is held in awe by transport experts. Where ever you go they know about it and most consider it a brilliant idea and implementation. It features in pretty much all the literature.

Cruise wrote:If it is held in awe the world over, why is it the only one?

I've answered this a few times. Most recently...

jk1237 wrote:Why then, has no other city in the world (except 1), even those with low density sprawl, not put o'bahns everywhere?

Put simply; because trains are sexy.

It's far easier to sell a concept for a rail line to politicians and the public because of perceptions of permanency regarding a rail line compared to the infrastructure to upgrade a bus line. On top of this the technology involved in a guided busway is relatively unknown (even though it's far simpler than the technology required to run a train line). Even some people who live in Adelaide don't realise we have an OBahn. It can be quite a battle to get funding for an unknown concept, and in most cases such ideas never get past the first stage.

However, guided busways are not as dead a concept as you seem to think. There's over five guided busways in operation and another two or three planned in the UK alone. There's a guided busway in Japan. In fact there's around eleven guided busways Worldwide, five of which were built after 2000, and more planned. Not to mention all of the other BRT systems Worldwide that are unguided.

You should also note that standard bus lines are more common than trains in sprawl areas worldwide.

I'm a bit puzzled as to why the rail freight operations are ceasing to serve the waterfront. Isn't there a port there any more?

As for the route, it doesn't look ideal for an O-bahn at all. Neither does it look bad, but keeping it as a railway seems to me to be the more sensible option. But I haven't been there, so maybe I'm missing something. If I am, does anyone know what it is?